21 local eateries that have closed their doors this year

It’s never fun to say goodbye, especially when it comes to your favorite restaurant.

Whether it’s grabbing a fancy cocktail at Ermanos’ secret bar Portal, or chowing down on a strawberry-filled treat from Fatboy Sandos, in the lively atmosphere of American Eat Co., many of us have fond memories at these local spots that will last a lifetime.

While some of our beloved restaurants have closed, we can still look back and reminiscence on the great meals, conversations and laughs had over the years.

Below is a list of local eateries that have shut their doors in 2025.

1912 Brewing Company

In February, 1912 Brewing Company, located at 2045 N. Forbes Blvd., announced that after nearly 10 years, they would be selling the brewery.

Unfortunately, a few months later the sale fell through, and 1912 Brewing Company officially shut down operations.

“We’ve been truly honored to be part of this amazing community. From late-night toasts and unforgettable craft beers, and incredible friendships— Whether it was a quick stop for a cold pint or celebrating milestones, we’ve cherished it all with you,” their post said.

Better Bevs

This 4^th Avenue drink shop combined boba tea with Mexican flavors and aguas frescas, making vibrant drinks topped with whipped cream and sour candy belts.

They announced on Instagram that they would be closing their storefront, located at 210 N. 4^th Ave., and switching to their mobile bus for events.

Black Iris Café

Black Iris Café, located at 340 N. Fourth Ave., served American comfort food and classic cocktails; delighting customers with a low-light speakeasy-style bar in the back for dance parties and cabaret.

In June, the restaurant announced that they would be permanently closing their doors. The diner's location has been home to many other businesses in the last few years, most recently Blush Restaurant.

Charro Vida

Charro Vida, the brainchild of El Charro matriarch Carlotta Flores who wanted to fuse the Sonoran Mexican flavors from her family’s legendary restaurant with Mediterranean dietary concepts, closed in May after six years.

At the time, Stacy Ethington, the area manager, said in a written statement that the vegan and vegetarian restaurant, located at 7109 N. Oracle Rd., had a hard time gaining traction after having to close due to the pandemic back in 2019.

“Once the pandemic fog was lifted, many dining customers wanted to return to their favorite experiences and Charro Vida simply was too new to ever get the type of traction a restaurant needs when met with the higher costs of operations that we have today,” he said.

Cuppa Gogo

This bright-red coffee trailer gained popularity back in 2022 at the former east-side food truck park, The Pit, thanks to their creative coffee flavors and pickle lemonades. In November 2023, they opened their first brick-and-mortar at 4877 E. Speedway.

For the next year, they highlighted new monthly flavors, including lattes inspired by gingerbread, pumpkin pie and Cosmic Brownies.

But in January, Cuppa Gogo announced their closure in an Instagram post, stating that they were no longer able to run the coffee spot.

“We appreciate all of you so much for supporting us throughout the years, we really do have the BEST customers, for enjoying our team and our product! We can never thank you guys enough, we will miss all of you so much, until next time,” the post said.

El Chinito Gordo

El Chinito Gordo, located at 2920 N. Oracle Rd., served its final meals in May after opening in 2019. Their menu was inspired by recipes handed down by the owner’s family from Guadalajara.

Their announcement post on Facebook did not give a reason for the closure.

“Throughout this journey, through everyday challenges and even a pandemic — we’ve learned, grown and built lasting friendships,” the post stated.

Ermanos & Portal Cocktails

After spending a decade serving up gourmet bar food and providing a unique atmosphere for patrons on Fourth Avenue, Ermanos, located at 220 N. Fourth Ave., closed their doors in February.

Brokenhearted customers learned of the news through an Instagram post that thanked staff and customers for their support during the restaurant's 10-year run.

Portal Cocktails- a speakeasy-style bar located toward the back of the restaurant- confirmed they, too, would be closing. You may have seen Portal featured on many Instagram feeds, thanks to their ambient lighting and creative drink menu.

“To say goodbye is an incredible heartbreak — letting go of the dream we built that allowed all of us to come together,” the Instagram post said. “We are blessed to have had your support which brought us great joy and meaningful opportunities to grow, adapt, and contribute, always to better serve you.”

Fatboy Sandos

Starting out as a food truck and later moving into American Eat Co., located at 1439 S. Fourth Ave., Fatboy Sandos stole our hearts with their tasty rice bowls, onigiri and sweet and savory sandos.

Whether it was Japanese pork katsu, or slices of fresh fruit and whipped cream, their signature soft and fluffy bread was always filled with something delicious.

Eventually Fatboy Sandos moved to the Park Place Mall food court, located at 5870 E. Broadway, and opened a location in Mesa as well. They made the tough decision in February to close, stating that they are excited for their next chapter.

“There were many reasons that forced us to come to this very tough decision. But we are SO grateful for all of the support and love we have received throughout this amazing experience,” their Instagram post said.

Firetruck Brewing

In January, Firetruck Brewing, which was brought to life by three Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters, shuttered their brewery’s last open location- their flagship location- at 4746 E. Grant Road.

The midtown location originally opened in 2014, where their firefighter themed brews gained traction. Their popularity continued to grow, and they eventually opened locations on Tanque Verde Road, in Oro Valley, and on North Kolb Road. These three locations all closed their doors throughout the past 18 months.

“We tried to do grocery store style, you know, just really anything to get anybody in the door and keep our employees employed,” owner Taylor Carter told the Star; the company at its height employed 100, with 40 of them full-time. “We went into massive debt keeping our employees. We didn’t lay a single person off during the whole time, which was probably one of our mistakes.”

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Flora’s Market Run

In 2020, Flora’s Market Run took over the historic Rincon Market, located at 2513 E. Sixth St., turning the iconic spot into half market, half restaurant.

Fans of the restaurant were shocked when the beloved spot announced its closure after three and a half years in business. According to a story from the Arizona Daily Star, owner Nathan Ares said the decision to close came after months of handwringing as it struggled to find its niche.

Now, Sonoran House and Redbird Scratch Kitchen have teamed up to take over the space.

Good Oak Bar

Since 2013, you could count on going to Good Oak Bar for an after-concert drink. Unfortunately, the downtown bar, located at 316 E. Congress St., announced they would be closing their doors in October.

“Since 2013 Good Oak Bar has served Tucson with integrity and grace through a focus on community, craft and terroir. An open door to gather, exist and thrive. These spaces we inhabit are fleeting but our experiences within them are lasting and carved into posterity and fond memory,” their post said.

HiFi Kitchen & Cocktails

Following 11 years of wild nights and long lines, HiFi Kitchen & Cocktails, located at 345 E. Congress St., announced they would be closing at the end of February. The sports bar and club, thanked their staff and customers for the unforgettable memories.

“To all our friends, staff, and party people — thank you for making HiFi Tucson what it was. You will all be deeply missed. Cheers to the memories that will last forever!” the post said.

Hammbone’s Meat & Three Joint

In September 2024, C.J. Hamm, opened Hammbone’s Meat & Three Joint, located at 2027 S. Craycroft Road. The restaurant specialized in Southern comfort food, with dishes big enough to serve a whole family.

But in April, Hamm announced that after a series of necessary repairs, it became impossible for them to stay open, stating that restaurants a very tough business nowadays.

“Thank you for all of those who came in, shared social posts, gave us great reviews, made reels and videos, told friends and family about us, etc. We really enjoyed meeting, getting to know, and feeding you for the time we were able to,” the post said.

Iron John’s Brewing Company

Monkey Burger breifly made a come back when they collabed with Iron John’s Brewing Company to transform the spot at 5350 E. Broadway into a brewery that served delicious burgers and pizza.

Fans of the new venture learned through an announcement in March that they would be closing their doors.

“This isn’t a goodbye– it’s just a transition,” their post said.

Le Cave’s Bakery

A Tucson icon for 90 years, Le Caves, located at 3950 E. 22nd St., shocked the community when they announced on Instagram that they would be closing up shop in February.

Naomi Pershing, who ran the bakery with her husband Chris, told the Arizona Daily Star that the rapid rise in food and labor costs created an unsustainable situation.

Basil Le Cave originally opened the bakery in 1935 at 1219 S. Sixth Ave., creating doughnuts that used vegetable oil and potato flour instead of eggs and dairy products. The chewy and slightly sweet donuts gained a very loyal following that spanned over the decades they were open.

“With a heavy heart we announce Le Cave’s Bakery will be closing its doors this Sunday, February 23, or sooner depending on remaining supplies and staffing,” the post said. “Thank you for your support over the years. It’s been a pleasure serving you!”

The Little One

In September, Marcela Davila-Barley announced that after 40 years of dishing up thousands of meals, The Little One, at 151 N. Stone Ave., was to stop it's operations on Sept. 19.

Things in downtown Tucson have changed drastically since 1985, and Davila-Barley says their beloved corner is now different, making it harder for her to keep the doors open. With more and more challenges arising, Davila-Barley made the tough decision to close, announcing the news on the restaurant’s Instagram page.

While Davila-Barley may be leaving the restaurant scene, she’s not leaving the community. She is starting a new venture, Home School, where she will teach people various life skills including cooking, cleaning and organizing.

Thunder Bacon Burger Co.

In 2021, Lindon “Lindy” Reilly, the mastermind behind Lindy’s on 4^th, decided to start a new venture: Thunder Bacon Burger Co., located at 621 N. Fourth Ave.

At his new eatery, he focused on burgers that featured flavors of the southwest, like green chiles and chorizo.

Unfortunately, in October the burger spot announced it had closed down.

“The decision was not made lightly, and we fought every day for a different outcome. We appreciate every single person who came through our doors. The friendships and family born from our short four years has been amazing and we love you all,” the post said.

Tommy D’s

This Chicago eatery, located at 8060 E. 22^nd St., plated up Italian beef, Chicago dogs, cheesesteaks and more, for years before closing their doors in May.

“This was an amazing adventure and we thank every single one of our customers that have come and supported our small business,” their Facebook post said.

Tucson Coffee Cricket

This coffee spot that gained popularity thanks to their ube lattes, announced in July that they would be closing their kiosk at 5151 E. Broadway at the end of the month.

“After nearly three years, Tucson Coffee Cricket will be closing,” their post said. “Changes in our personal lives and the economy have made it difficult to keep the business thriving, so we have decided to close this chapter.”

Wok Fire and Grill

This Vietnamese spot near the University of Arizona, 1135 N. Park Ave., closed back in April, after six years of business. They thanked their customers for becoming part of their extended family.

“Though this chapter is ending, the memories, the friendships, and the gratitude will stay with us forever. Thank you for allowing us to live our dream, and for making it more meaningful than we ever imagined,” the post said.

Zona 78

Back in June, this beloved Italian eatery announced on its Facebook page that it was undergoing a transformation.

Zona 78, located at 7301 E. Tanque Verde Rd., had served its last meal and was to be turned into FIGS Oven + Enoteca, a new restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean flavors.

“We are thrilled to announce that we are embarking on an exciting journey, transforming one of our existing restaurant spaces into a fresh, innovative concept that promises to deliver a bold new experience,” the post said.